Can you believe ColLab launched in 2022? It’s been two years! We’re looking back on all the projects we supported this year with a special Q&A with program manager Sophie Brubaker:
What’s one word (or a few words) that you would use to describe the ColLab program this year?
Sophie: Expanded and expandable!
How did ColLab productions in 2024 operate differently than in 2023?
In 2023 and 2024, ColLab focused on producing theatre with a twist. In 2023, the program’s interdisciplinary requirement was forward-facing in each of the three productions; the foundation of the work had been produced before, but ColLab produced them with a new, interdisciplinary component (dance painting in Ghost Quartet, bringing to life a modern day hootenanny in Hootenanny Tonight!, and constructing a Jewish community photography installation amidst the Bad Jews set).
In 2024, the program focused on completely original, more interactive and immersive works. All 4 productions made use of completely original scripts, choreography and/or experiences that were based around audience participation in the atmosphere and content of the show. In 2025, I hope to fuse the interactive and interdisciplinary focuses even more!
What was one of your favorite moments from each 2024 ColLab production?
Truth, Dare, or Lesbian
Every night there was an audience member who would come onstage and pretend to be the creator’s (Emily Drossell) crush, and she would improv with them – it was HILARIOUS every night.
Open, Stay
Our director (Mindy Cooper) had her drink called out by our onstage barista character (Olivia Hellman) right at the end of her opening speech at each performance! It was unexpected and had a silly quality to it and really established the audience in the immersive coffee shop musical experience.
What’s Left
I loved the candlelight experience of this show.
The original text by Katherine Hunter had an unsettling quality to it, but the mix of darkness, candlelight, and the warmth of the dancers created an environment where people could lean in to the choreography (by Stephanie Nielsen and Cooper Grenke) and imagine what the dancers were feeling in “private” moments
Song Cycle Sessions
There was a moment during every evening where the audience understood that their ideas were valuable to the artists (Andrew Heringer, Kyle Holmes, and David Taylor Gomes) and would be utilized for the songs right then and there. A comfortable and communal confidence would start to take over each group, and that’s when it really started to feel connected and collaborative each session.
What was challenging about producing ColLab productions this year?
As a producer, the challenge is always hoping people will trust you in stepping out of their comfort zone’s for a night out of experimental, interdisciplinary, and/or interactive theatre. I am so thankful for the progress we made in 2024 in expanding Off The Lane’s reach to NYC audiences, but I am also thrilled to bring more and more people into our performance loft to experience something that is always both comfortable and uncomfortable, safe and communal, but also entirely new.
Are you taking submissions for 2025 productions?
Yes!!! We actually have an open submission policy for our ColLab program!
You can always submit a production idea through this link, but I will also say that I do most of our season planning January-March, so in the words of Hannah Montana, “let’s do this.”